Events

Directed by Tatsumi Hijikata, premiered at Butoh Festival '85. Performing alongside Kazuo Ohno, this was the performance in which Yoshito Ohno made a comeback to the stage after a hiatus of 15 years.

Kazuo and Yoshito Ohno visited the Dead Sea during a tour to Italy and Israel in 1983. In Jerusalem, Kazuo - a devout Christian - retraced the steps of Jesus as he knew them from the Bible. On Yoshito's suggestion that, having danced La Argentina and his mother, Kazuo's next work should reflect the relationship between his beliefs and butoh, The Dead Sea was created based on their experiences in Israel.

In 1986 - the following year - the sudden passing of Tatsumi Hijikata meant The Dead Sea was the last work he directed for Kazuo Ohno. Hijikata had also choreographed 3 pieces for Yoshito Ohno, which Yoshito later began to refer to as Hijikata Sansho (Hijikata's Three Chapters). He continued to dance these choreographies for the rest of his life.

In the last scene - Vienna Waltz and Ghosts - Kazuo Ohno danced to Johann Strauss II's Artist's Life.

Main scenes:
• The Dead Sea
• Requiem
• Episode in the Creation
• Deserted Garden
• Vienna Waltz and Ghosts
Yoshito performed the three Hijikata Sansho choreographies between these scenes.